This summer brings a colourful treat from Christian Louboutin as the designer presents a brand new collection of lustrous nail paints – the Hawaii Kawai. Christian Louboutin captures the warmth and fantasy of the 1950s Hawaii in this new collection. The two sets come in vibrant, floral prints that reflect the beauty of spring 2016. The tropical theme is also seen in the men’s and women’s shoe collection.The six nail colours are bright pop shades in mini sizes with the signature spike handle contained in faceted glass cases. The white coffret has a day palette of Very Privé-a deep wine red, Batignolles-a cross between a sky and turquoise blue and Miss Loubi-a deeply vibrant coral pink. The black pack contains Bengali-a high impact hot pink often seen in India, Khôl-an intense almost-black hue and Popi- a sophisticated orange red. Each coffret contains three nail polishes that are limited edition. They are available for $90 (approx. INR 6,106).

Joining the league of Hermes, Judith Lieber and Michael Kors, Italian luxury brand Furla has launched their first ever India exclusive bag called Maaya. Embellished with glitter, suspended from a cross body metal sling, the clutch was launched at St. Regis in Mumbai. Designed for the Indian woman with a versatile look complementing both Indian and western outfits, the clutch is crafted out of a glittery fabric in champagne/gold colour. Available in sizes small and medium, the Maaya clutch has a label stitched on the inside stating ‘Made in Italy Furla Exclusive for India’, highlighting its uniqueness. Priced at INR 22,000, this India clutch is sure to be the next big thing at every social gathering and wedding hosted in 2016.

After successful stints in Delhi and Pune, the make-up addict’s favourite French brand Sephora has finally made its way to Mumbai shores. At present, the Indian premium market is estimated at $6.2 billion and is growing at the rate of 18 per cent. In fact, make up is the fastest growing category at 27 per cent, followed by fragrance at 25 per cent. So, to see Sephora move from Delhi to Mumbai was only organic. The brand has begun its Mumbai stint with a sprawling 2,800 square feet store at Mumbai’s luxury mall-Palladium. Apart from its eponymous brand, currently, the store houses brands such as Estée Lauder, Clinique, Shiseido, Dior, Givenchy and much more. Vivek Bali, Business Director for Sephora, states that their “strategy would be to have thematic offerings each month, such as ones specifically for the skin or eyes, followed not only by our cosmetics, but also products from the other brands, so that the whole store has one theme.” Each region, he informs, will have customised offerings as per the buyers. Sephora in Mumbai will also have curated and exclusive products across make-up, skin-care, fragrances, bath, hair care, accessories categories. Men need not feel left out as the store also has a section for men’s grooming, making this a complete package.

The new Ford Mustang has been officially unveiled in India. The coupe version revealed at the preview event will also be displayed at Ford’s pavilion at the upcoming Auto Expo. However, Nigel Harris, President and Managing Director, Ford India, confirmed that the car will be launched in the second quarter of 2016. Out of the three engine options available globally, only the top-of-the-line variant will be offered in India. This comes powered by a 5.0-litre petrol V8 mill capable of belting out 437bhp of power and 540Nm of torque. Transmission options include only the six-speed automatic gearbox with paddle shifters. This latest iteration of the Ford Mustang is both muscular and sleek, and gets a lower and wider stance and gets updates in celebration of 50 years of the legendary Mustang.  The front boasts of a chrome-outlined hexagonal grille, HID headlamps with tri-slat LED DRLs, round fog lamps and a front splitter while the sides have five-spoke alloys with a split pattern, muscular wheel arches, side skirts and a prominent shoulder line. The steeply sloped windshield ends into a diffuser at the back where tri-slat LED tail lamps with sequential turn signals can be seen. The cabin is updated with the latest infotainment system and onboard instrumentation. On the safety front, it gets dual front, curtain and industry-first  knee airbags, blind spot information system, cross traffic alert and adaptive cruise control. The Mustang is expected to be priced in the Rs 75 lakh to Rs 80 lakh bracket (ex-showroom price) and will serve as a niche product in the Indian market.

British shoe designer Charlotte Olympia plans to perfectly capture the essence of Valentine’s Day with a stunning collection. Titled Kiss and Make Up, this striking collection comes in shades of red and pink, sporting the brand’s signature pout design. It comprises three different pairs of shoes and one pouch. The shoes feature island heels, sandals and ballerina flats. Crafted from mink silk with ankle strap detailing, they feature a contrasting red or pink crystal kiss at the toe with a beige background. The pouch too is made from the same silk satin closed with a zip that features a runner sporting the brand’s popular web logo. Made in Italy, the collection is available on Charlotte Olympia’s website for a limited time.

While legal wrangling almost kept the covers on the Henrik Fisker-designed VLF Automotive Force 1 supercar, what has emerged at the North American International Auto Show 2016 is actually a limited edition vehicle that is ready to go into production. The legal action in question was from Aston Martin, Fisker’s former employers, who claimed the car looked too much like its DB10. However now the car has made its debut, any potential likeness with an Aston Martin is difficult to glean. With a $268,500 asking price the car is going into limited production with 50 initial examples. The shell is carbon fiber to cut as much weight as possible and the engine under that aggressive hood is reminiscent of a Dodge Viper — an 8.4-liter V10 with no turbos or superchargers attached. That means a 0-100km/h time of 3 seconds and a standing quarter mile time of 10.97 seconds. Under the carbon fiber paneling is a cutting-edge chassis and computer-controlled suspension setup that promises fine handling as well as blistering but predictable straight-line speed. But perhaps best of all for supercar purists, is that this car comes with a six-speed manual transmission as standard. Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren and Porsche have all now ditched the stick-shift in favor of paddles and in doing so have robbed keen drives of greater involvement. However an automatic option will also be available – complete with the now obligatory steering-column-mounted paddles.

Designer and developer Michael Palumbo has created a profusion of jaw-dropping residences, but he says his latest project—a $100 million estate to be built in Beverly Hills, California—is his greatest work yet. Inspired by a floating estate in Singapore, Palumbo envisioned a compound-style home that revolves around water. Under his guidance, plans for the residence were designed by award-winning architects Shubin + Donaldson. Blueprints for the 24,500-square-foot estate feature seven bedrooms (including a 3,100-square-foot master suite with private access to a rooftop garden); 14 bathrooms; a great room with a hidden bar; and an 18-seat dining room—all wreathed in eye-catching water features. A 1.5-inch-deep reflecting pool outside the home’s entryway leads to an acrylic pool in the foyer that seamlessly connects to a lap pool and then to a vanishing-edge pool surrounding the property. The see-through pool in the foyer funnels light into the lower level of the home. However, the contemporary estate is exclusive not only because of its design but also because of its location. It will be situated on the last lot in the prestigious Trousdale Estates neighborhood of Beverly Hills, known as “Billionaires Row” owing to its lavish homes and beautiful views of downtown Los Angeles and the Pacific Ocean. The lot and plans are available for preconstruction acquisition for $35 million or for final turnkey purchase for $100 million.

France-based jewellery brand Messika Joaillerie’s iconic Swan Necklace is inspired by the 90’s famous Swan Princess fairytale. Patronising the gorgeous damsel, who by the day is a swan and by night charms the world with her enchanting features, the diamond studded necklace recreates the wings in its design, representing grace and splendour. This royal neckpiece is studded with 285 marquise-cut diamonds and 80 pear-cut diamonds–all set in 24 carat white gold caricature. Personifying the radiant Swan wings with its asymmetrical hemline delicate roundness, the curves are smooth keeping the gradient on the neck subtle yet very elegant. With its price available on request, the bespoke neckpiece is available only when ordered at any of the Messika boutiques across the world.

Inspired by the sizzling south of Spain, Shanghai Tang celebrates this summer with a gorgeous fusion between the Orient and the West. In a collection that brings space and time together, Seville’s historic landmarks serve as the backdrop in the fusion of Chinese style and international outlook. For the summer man, the collection features the vibrancy of snazzy patterns, cool colors and masculine lines. Boardrooms come alive with Riviera chic. Spring tailored laidback suits and deconstructed blazers update tradition in ink blue, aqua and green. The Shanghai Tang woman gets a dramatic collection where contemporary art and traditional culture merge in a beautiful story. The Miao tribe’s vivid fabrics are reinvented with embroideries and graphic shapes. 1960s nostalgia comes to play with bright pastels and warm neutrals; big bold prints give life to simple, unfussy silhouettes while floral prints channel pop art in the shade of true summer.